Name: CHAPTER 30 THE THIRD CALL
Author: Lady Phoenix Rose

Story Notes

CHAPTER NOTES
Welcome to Chapter 30 of Breedlove Manor.
September has arrived, bringing a new season and new beginnings beyond the gates of Nevermore Manor. For our readers returning to school, and for the parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, and families helping children begin another school year, I hope September brings you moments of excitement, discovery, and something to look forward to.
And when the day becomes busy, perhaps Breedlove Manor can offer a small escape into the shadows.
In this chapter, Grandmother's warning begins to take on a deeper meaning.
Her letter was dated September 1.
The raven called three times.
And now Nathaniel and Raven have discovered a third door beneath the Manor.
Was Grandmother warning Nathaniel about the raven?
The third call?
Or something far more dangerous waiting beyond that door?
The secrets beneath Breedlove Manor are beginning to connect.
But every answer seems to create another question.
Thank you for continuing this journey with me.
Thank you for reading, following, and stepping through the gates of Breedlove Manor.
Keep reading.
Keep wondering.
And remember...
Sometimes a warning isn't meant to keep you away.
Sometimes it's meant to prepare you for what is waiting when you arrive.
— Lady Phoenix Rose 🌹

Summary

CHAPTER 30 SUMMARY September has only just begun, yet Breedlove Manor already seems to be changing. The discovery of Grandmother’s letter, dated September 1, has opened a door into a history Nathaniel was never meant to uncover. Its warnings about the Breedlove family, the darkness that surrounds them, and the fragile balance between darkness and light have left Nathaniel questioning how much of his family’s past has been deliberately hidden from him. With Raven at his side, Nathaniel begins piecing together the meaning behind Grandmother’s words. But the Manor offers another warning. Three calls from a raven echo through the grounds. Three times. Just as Grandmother's letter warned. Nathaniel begins to wonder whether the bird is merely an animal—or whether it has been sent to guide him toward something buried within the Manor. As September's cool air settles over Nevermore Valley and the outside world begins another season of new beginnings, Nathaniel finds himself facing a very different beginning. The search for the truth has started. And somewhere beneath Breedlove Manor, an old secret is waiting to be found. But this time, Nathaniel may not be the only one searching.

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Lady Phoenix Rose

Status: Complete

Chapters: 2

Rating: n/a

Age Rating: 13+

CHAPTER 30 THE THIRD CALL

CHAPTER 30

THE THIRD CALL

September 1 had passed into evening, but the words of Grandmother's letter remained fresh in Nathaniel's mind.

He stood beside the tall window of Breedlove Manor, holding the old letter carefully between his fingers.

The date at the top seemed impossible to ignore.

September 1.

A beginning.

Yet Grandmother had written as though she already knew what would happen after that day.

Nathaniel read the final lines again.

Darkness does not always come from where you expect it.

Light does not always reveal what you wish to see.

And when the raven calls three times, listen.

Nathaniel lowered the letter.

"What does it mean?" he whispered.

Raven stood several feet behind him.

"I don't know," she answered.

Nathaniel looked at her.

"You helped me find the letter."

"I helped you uncover it. That's not the same thing."

A cold breeze moved through the room.

The curtains lifted slightly.

Then came the sound.

Caw.

Nathaniel turned toward the window.

A black raven sat upon the stone ledge outside.

It stared directly at him.

Neither Nathaniel nor Raven moved.

The bird called again.

Caw.

Nathaniel glanced at Grandmother's letter.

Then back at the raven.

"That's twice."

Raven's expression changed.

"Don't."

Nathaniel looked at her.

"Don't what?"

"Don't go after it."

The raven tilted its head.

For several seconds, it remained completely still.

Then it called a third time.

Caw.

The sound echoed through the Manor.

Somewhere deep within the old building, something answered.

A dull knock.

Nathaniel's eyes widened.

Raven stepped closer.

"You heard that."

Nathaniel nodded.

The raven spread its wings.

It flew from the window and disappeared beyond the trees.

Nathaniel moved toward the door.

Raven caught his arm.

"Wait."

He stopped.

"Grandmother's warning said to listen."

"It didn't say follow."

Nathaniel looked toward the window.

"Maybe the two are connected."

Raven released his arm.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Nathaniel noticed something on the floor beneath the window.

A single black feather.

He crouched and picked it up.

There was something tied around its narrow stem.

A tiny strip of paper.

Nathaniel carefully unfolded it.

Only four words had been written upon it.

Beneath the old stone.

He looked at Raven.

"Someone left this."

Raven stared at the message.

"Or something did."

Nathaniel stood.

"The old passage."

Raven shook her head.

"We don't know where it leads."

"Then we find out."

They left the room together.

The corridors of Breedlove Manor were quiet.

Too quiet.

Their footsteps echoed as they made their way toward the oldest section of the house.

Nathaniel carried the lantern.

Raven carried Grandmother's letter.

Neither noticed the shadow that briefly moved behind them.

They reached the hidden passage.

The stones were still where they had left them.

Nathaniel placed his hand against the wall.

Nothing happened.

He tried the carved symbol.

A click sounded.

The hidden entrance opened.

Cold air swept across them.

Raven looked into the darkness.

"Do you feel that?"

Nathaniel nodded.

"Yes."

They stepped inside.

The passage seemed different now.

The markings along the walls were clearer beneath the lantern light.

Names.

Dates.

Warnings.

Nathaniel stopped at one particular inscription.

Someone had carved a raven into the stone.

Beneath it were three small marks.

One.

Two.

Three.

Raven touched the carving.

"It's the same symbol."

Nathaniel looked at Grandmother's letter.

"She knew."

A sound came from farther down the passage.

Something scraping against stone.

They both froze.

Then a whisper drifted toward them.

"Turn back."

Raven tightened her grip on the letter.

Nathaniel raised the lantern.

"Who are you?"

Silence.

Then the whisper came again.

"Before the third door."

Nathaniel looked at Raven.

"What does that mean?"

She shook her head.

"I don't know."

They continued forward.

The passage divided ahead.

Three doors stood before them.

Nathaniel stared.

One.

Two.

Three.

He slowly lifted the lantern.

The third door was different from the others.

It was made of dark wood, covered with symbols, and at its center was a carving of a raven.

Nathaniel reached toward the handle.

Raven stopped him.

"Maybe Grandmother wasn't warning us about the third call."

Nathaniel looked at her.

"Then what was she warning us about?"

Raven stared at the door.

"The third door."

Behind them, the hidden entrance slammed shut.

The lantern flame flickered.

And from the other side of the third door came three slow knocks.

Knock.

Nathaniel stared into the darkness.

The Manor had given them another choice.

And somehow, he already knew which door it wanted them to open.

Chapter Notes

CHAPTER 30 THE THIRD CALL September 1 had passed into evening, but the words of Grandmother's letter remained fresh in Nathaniel's mind. He stood beside the tall window of Breedlove Manor, holding the old letter carefully between his fingers. The date at the top seemed impossible to ignore. September 1. A beginning. Yet Grandmother had written as though she already knew what would happen after that day. Nathaniel read the final lines again. Darkness does not always come from where you expect it. Light does not always reveal what you wish to see. And when the raven calls three times, listen. Nathaniel lowered the letter. "What does it mean?" he whispered. Raven stood several feet behind him. "I don't know," she answered. Nathaniel looked at her. "You helped me find the letter." "I helped you uncover it. That's not the same thing." A cold breeze moved through the room. The curtains lifted slightly. Then came the sound. Caw. Nathaniel turned toward the window. A black raven sat upon the stone ledge outside. It stared directly at him. Neither Nathaniel nor Raven moved. The bird called again. Caw. Nathaniel glanced at Grandmother's letter. Then back at the raven. "That's twice." Raven's expression changed. "Don't." Nathaniel looked at her. "Don't what?" "Don't go after it." The raven tilted its head. For several seconds, it remained completely still. Then it called a third time. Caw. The sound echoed through the Manor. Somewhere deep within the old building, something answered. A dull knock. Nathaniel's eyes widened. Raven stepped closer. "You heard that." Nathaniel nodded. The raven spread its wings. It flew from the window and disappeared beyond the trees. Nathaniel moved toward the door. Raven caught his arm. "Wait." He stopped. "Grandmother's warning said to listen." "It didn't say follow." Nathaniel looked toward the window. "Maybe the two are connected." Raven released his arm. Neither of them spoke. Then Nathaniel noticed something on the floor beneath the window. A single black feather. He crouched and picked it up. There was something tied around its narrow stem. A tiny strip of paper. Nathaniel carefully unfolded it. Only four words had been written upon it. Beneath the old stone. He looked at Raven. "Someone left this." Raven stared at the message. "Or something did." Nathaniel stood. "The old passage." Raven shook her head. "We don't know where it leads." "Then we find out." They left the room together. The corridors of Breedlove Manor were quiet. Too quiet. Their footsteps echoed as they made their way toward the oldest section of the house. Nathaniel carried the lantern. Raven carried Grandmother's letter. Neither noticed the shadow that briefly moved behind them. They reached the hidden passage. The stones were still where they had left them. Nathaniel placed his hand against the wall. Nothing happened. He tried the carved symbol. A click sounded. The hidden entrance opened. Cold air swept across them. Raven looked into the darkness. "Do you feel that?" Nathaniel nodded. "Yes." They stepped inside. The passage seemed different now. The markings along the walls were clearer beneath the lantern light. Names. Dates. Warnings. Nathaniel stopped at one particular inscription. Someone had carved a raven into the stone. Beneath it were three small marks. One. Two. Three. Raven touched the carving. "It's the same symbol." Nathaniel looked at Grandmother's letter. "She knew." A sound came from farther down the passage. Something scraping against stone. They both froze. Then a whisper drifted toward them. "Turn back." Raven tightened her grip on the letter. Nathaniel raised the lantern. "Who are you?" Silence. Then the whisper came again. "Before the third door." Nathaniel looked at Raven. "What does that mean?" She shook her head. "I don't know." They continued forward. The passage divided ahead. Three doors stood before them. Nathaniel stared. One. Two. Three. He slowly lifted the lantern. The third door was different from the others. It was made of dark wood, covered with symbols, and at its center was a carving of a raven. Nathaniel reached toward the handle. Raven stopped him. "Maybe Grandmother wasn't warning us about the third call." Nathaniel looked at her. "Then what was she warning us about?" Raven stared at the door. "The third door." Behind them, the hidden entrance slammed shut. The lantern flame flickered. And from the other side of the third door came three slow knocks. Knock. Knock. Knock. Nathaniel stared into the darkness. The Manor had given them another choice. And somehow, he already knew which door it wanted them to open.